Jane West was an English novelist who published under the names Prudentia Homespun and Mrs. West. She also wrote conduct fiction, poetry, and instructional materials. Jane West was born in London to Jane and John Iliffe, but her family relocated to Desborough, Northamptonshire, when she was eleven. In 1783, she married Thomas West (died 1823), a yeoman farmer from Little Bowden, Leicestershire. They had three sons named Thomas (1783-1843), John (1787-1841), and Edward (1794-1821). In 1800, she wrote to the man of letters Thomas Percy, bishop of Dromore, requesting his patronage and describing herself as self-taught and engaged in poetry from an early age. She benefited from his acquaintance and paid him a visit in 1810. Jane West was born in London to Jane and John Iliffe, but her family relocated to Desborough, Northamptonshire, when she was eleven. In 1783, she married Thomas West (died 1823), a yeoman farmer from Little Bowden, Leicestershire. They had three sons named Thomas (1783-1843), John (1787-1841), and Edward (1794-1821). In 1800, she wrote to the man of letters Thomas Percy, bishop of Dromore, requesting his patronage and describing herself as self-taught and engaged in poetry from an early age. She benefited from his acquaintance and paid him a visit in 1810.
